Women make up 43% of the agricultural labor force worldwide and are involved in more than half of all food production. In Türkiye, agriculture is the only sector in which women and men are employed at nearly equal rates. According to the data, total agricultural employment stands at 4,773,000 people. Women account for 41.86% of this figure, or 1,981,000 people. The role of women farmers in agriculture is critically important; the labor they contribute to sustaining agricultural production and keeping rural life vibrant forms the backbone of the agricultural sector.

At the same time, women in agriculture are still not adequately represented or supported. They continue to face difficulties in accessing technology and financial resources.

Empowering Women Farmers Through the 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity Program

Since 2019, in addition to implementing many practices that have touched the lives of farmers across different regions of Türkiye and supported the sustainability of agriculture, this year we have placed a special focus on women farmers in our program. As of 2024, we wanted to make our support for women farmers even more tangible by adding a new module to the program.

To date, 214 women farmers have participated in our program, and as of 2024, another 100 women farmers are included. This year, the program has expanded to include not only women farmers producing corn, sunflower, and canola, but also women engaged in olive cultivation.

In the coming years, women farmers growing different crops are also planned to be included in the program. In this way, we will triple the number of women participating in the program each year. Through 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity, we will both increase the diversity of the program and contribute to gender equality by supporting women’s strength in agriculture.

Being a Woman in Agriculture Through the Eyes of Women Farmers

The women farmers participating in the program shared their experiences and explained how the training and support provided by the program have created change in agriculture.

“There is no production without women”

Ceylan Karaoğlan, İzmir:
I live in Tire, İzmir. I have been farming for 31 years, and I have been part of the 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity Program since 2019. I used to grow vegetables and cotton; now I focus on corn cultivation and livestock farming. Thanks to the program, I learned how to produce more consciously and efficiently and how to fertilize based on soil analysis. It gave me self-confidence. With the support of the program, I succeeded in everything I set out to do. There is no production without women. Women are the invisible power of agriculture; with their clean and meticulous work, they improve the quality of production. I believe women will take on an even greater role in agriculture.

“A woman can definitely achieve whatever she sets her mind to!”

Deniz Tekeli, Adana:
I have been farming in Yüreğir, Adana for 12 years; I grow corn, soybeans, citrus fruits, and recently I have been experimenting with a new cherry variety that has adapted well to the Adana region. Through the program, I had the opportunity to learn not only about practices in my own region, but also about what farmers in other regions are doing. As my knowledge increased, I began applying fertilization and harvesting practices more consciously, and I also improved my financial literacy. Thanks to 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity, I have gained greater agricultural experience and can move forward in the sector with even more confidence, while coping better with challenges. Women farmers are detail-oriented and approach their work with care and dedication. I believe in the strength of women’s touch in agriculture; once a woman sets her mind to something, she will definitely achieve it.

“The number of women farmers will increase in the future!”

Zerrin Gürel Yeşildal, Tekirdağ:
For the past 18 years, I have been growing wheat, barley, canola, sunflower, and many other crops in Tekirdağ. Through the program, I learn about the practices of farmers in different regions. Although men are the majority in agriculture, women are more active in horticulture and in the cultivation of aromatic plants. When you have experience and practice good farming, no one can dismiss you. It is important not to hesitate to try new practices and to pay close attention to marketing and storage as well. I believe that the number of women and young farmers will increase in the future.

A Stronger Future with Women Farmers

As 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity, we aim to increase both the number of women farmers in Turkish agriculture and the level of expertise they bring to the sector. In line with this goal, we will support women farmers in taking a more active role in the sector by offering dedicated modules and training programs. This initiative, which helps make women more visible in agricultural production, also contributes to gender equality. Developing innovative and sustainable solutions in agriculture together with women farmers will make Turkish agriculture stronger and more competitive.

Women are shaping the future of agriculture, and the 1000 Farmers Endless Prosperity Program will continue to be one of their strongest supporters on this journey.

A Closer Look at What the Program Includes

• FieldStation: Installed in the field, it monitors soil and weather conditions and measures soil moisture and temperature. It helps optimize irrigation and makes it possible to identify potential disease risks.
• PestTrap: Enables automatic pest detection for early warnings against the olive moth, helping prevent unnecessary pesticide applications.
• FlowMeter: Provides real-time monitoring of irrigation and total water use. Together with FieldStation, it helps optimize water consumption.
• Digital Soil Analysis and Fertilization Program: Soil structure and organic matter are measured digitally. Based on these results, field-specific consultancy is provided and a tailored fertilization program is created.
• Field Visits by Our Agricultural Engineers: Guidance is provided on crop development and hands-on regenerative agriculture practices—in short, agronomic consultancy.
• Olive Products Sales and Marketing Training: Through these trainings, farmers can find answers to questions such as “How can value-added olive products be produced?”, “How can effective marketing and sales be carried out?”, and “How can digital and social media be used in sales?”
• Value-Added Sales Support Line: A sales support platform in addition to the Technical Support Line.
• Portal: All data and activities are recorded here. It enables program management, planning, coordination, and activity reporting to be tracked.

We proudly celebrate the value and effort that our women farmers bring to agriculture. We thank all the women farmers in our program who are making a difference in production, and we believe that with their resilience and determination, agriculture will move toward a more sustainable and stronger future.

Here’s to many more successful years together!

Best wishes for continued success!